From the files of the ARRL Automated Mail Server, (info@arrl.org):
file: hampromo.txt   updated: 07-13-94


FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Mansfield
(203) 666-1541, Ext. 240


BACKGROUNDER: WHAT IS AMATEUR RADIO?
A retired military officer in North Carolina makes friends over the radio 
with a ham in Lithuania. An Ohio teenager uses her computer to upload a 
chess move to an orbiting space satellite, where it's retrieved by a fellow 
chess enthusiast in Japan. An aircraft engineer in Florida participating in 
a "DX contest" swaps call signs with hams in 100 countries in a weekend. In 
California, volunteers save lives as part of their involvement in an 
emergency communications net. And at the scene of a traffic accident on a 
Chicago freeway, a ham calls for help by using a pocket-sized hand-held 
radio.

This unique mix of fun, public service and convenience is the 
distinguishing characteristic of the hobby called Amateur Radio. Although 
hams get involved in Amateur Radio for many reasons, they all have in 
common a basic knowledge of radio technology, regulations and operating 
principles, demonstrated by passing an examination for a license to operate 
on radio frequencies known as the "Amateur Bands." These frequencies are 
reserved by the Federal Communications Commission for use by hams at 
intervals from just above the AM broadcast band all the way up into 
extremely high microwave frequencies.

Who's The Typical Ham?

Amateur radio operators come from all walks of life -- movie stars, 
missionaries, doctors, students, politicians, truck drivers and just plain 
folks. They are all ages, sexes, income levels and nationalities. But
whether they prefer Morse Code on an old brass telegraph key through a low 
power transmitter, voice communication on a hand-held radio or computer 
messages transmitted through satellites, they all have an interest in 
what's happening in the world, and they use radio to reach out.   

What's The Appeal Of Ham Radio?

Some hams are attracted by the ability to communicate  across the country, 
around the globe, even with astronauts on space missions. Others build and 
experiment with electronics. Computer hobbyists find packet radio to be a 
low-cost way to expand their ability to communicate. Those with a 
competitive streak enjoy DX contests, where the object is to see how many 
distant locations they can contact. Some like the convenience of a 
technology that gives them portable communication. Others use it to open 
the door to new friendships over the air or through participation in one of 
more than 2000 Amateur Radio clubs throughout the country. 

A Noble History

Nobody knows when Amateur Radio operators were first called "hams," but we 
do know that Amateur Radio is as old as the history of radio itself. Not 
long after Guglielmo Marconi, an Italian experimenter, transmitted the 
Morse Code letter "s" from Newfoundland to England in 1901, amateur 
experimenters throughout the world were trying out the capabilities of the 
first "spark gap" transmitters. In 1912 Congress passed the first laws 
regulating radio transmissions in the U.S. By 1914, Amateur experimenters 
were communicating nation- wide, and setting up a system to relay messages 
from coast to coast (whence the name "American Radio Relay League"!). In 
1927, the FCC was created by Congress and specific frequencies were 
assigned for various uses, including ham bands.

What is Amateur Radio? - 2

Why A License?

Although the main purpose of Amateur Radio is fun, it is called the 
"Amateur Radio Service" because it also has a serious face. The FCC created 
this "Service" to fill the need for a pool of experts who could provide
backup emergency communications. In addition, the FCC acknowledged the 
ability of the hobby to advance the communication and technical skills of 
radio, and to enhance international goodwill. This philosophy has paid off. 
Countless lives have been saved where skilled hobbyists act as emergency 
communicators to render aid, whether it's an earthquake in Italy, a flood 
in India or a hurricane in the U.S.

What's The Right License For Me?

Over the years, five basic license classes have evolved. The higher the 
class license you have, the more privileges and modes of operation you get. 
But each higher class license requires progressively more knowledge of 
technology, rules and regulations, as well as higher Morse Code 
proficiency. So, you can learn the basics or you can become an expert and 
still enjoy the hobby.

Today, the "entry level" license for Radio Amateurs is the easy-to-learn 
easy-to-earn "code free" or Technician Class license, which requires 
passing examinations on radio theory, regulations and operations. The 
Technician class license gives access to frequencies in the VHF and UHF 
bands, all modes of operation, and access to Amateur Radio Orbiting 
Satellites (OSCARS) which opens up communication world-wide and beyond. The 
Novice class license requires passing a 30 question exam and a basic Morse 
Code test of five words per minute. Technician licensees may also pass the 
Novice code test to earn additional High Frequency privileges. The General 
class license requires passing a 25 question exam and a 13 word per
minute code test. The Advanced class license adds another 50 question 
examination, and the highest class license, the Amateur Extra, requires an 
additional 40 question exam plus a 20 words per minute code test.
Radio amateurs carry their licenses with them so they can operate wherever 
they go in the U.S. Typically, they also keep a copy of the license in 
their radio shack at home. 

Why Do They Call Themselves "Ham?"

Although the origin of the word "ham" is obscure, every ham has his or her 
own pet theory. One holds that early Amateurs were called hams because they 
liked to "perform" on the air, as in "hamming it up." Another proposes that 
the name came from the "ham-fisted" way some early Amateurs handled their 
code keys. The easiest to accept is that "ham" is a contraction of "Am," as 
in Amateur. One of the most exotic holds that "ham" is an acronym from the 
initials of three college students who were among the first Radio Amateurs.

What Are The Amateur Radio Bands?

Look at the dial on a old AM radio and you'll see frequencies marked from 
535 to 1605 kilohertz. Imagine that band extended out many thousands of 
kilohertz, and you'll have some idea of how much additional radio spectrum 
is available for amateur, government and commercial radio bands. It is here 
you'll find aircraft, ship, fire and police communication, as well as the 
so-called "shortwave" stations, which are worldwide commercial and 
government broadcast stations from the U.S. and overseas. Amateurs are 
allocated nine basic "bands" (i.e. groups of frequencies) in the high 
frequency range between 1800 and 29,700 kilohertz, and another seven bands 
in the Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) ranges. 
Even though many Amateur Radio conversations may be heard around the world, 
given the right frequency and propagation conditions, Amateur Radio is 
basically two-way communication.

What is Amateur Radio? - 3

Where Do I Get More Information?

The three best ways to learn about Amateur Radio are to listen to hams on 
the Amateur bands, read about Amateur Radio in the numerous books and 
magazines devoted to the subject and, best of all, talk to hams face-to-
face. Hams take pride in their ability to "Elmer" (teach) newcomers the 
ropes to get them started in the hobby. Most will welcome your interest.

To find out how to get started and who to contact in your area, call or 
write The American Radio Relay League, 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 
06111. Telephone 1-800-32NEW HAM.

*eof

